College hires new director of undergraduate services

LAWRENCE – The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Kansas has completed its search for a new undergraduate office director with the hire of an experienced administrator who has held positions in advising, registrar and admissions offices at several institutions.

The new director, Larry Fillian, will assume duties leading the College’s Student Academic Services office on July 30. He most recently served as director of undergraduate advising for students in the School of Business at The George Washington University. Karen Ledom, who has served as interim director since January, will resume her position as administrative director.

“Larry Fillian has an impressive record of implementing innovations to enhance efficiency and the student experience of advising at other institutions,” said Danny Anderson, dean of the College. “His skills and ideas will be invaluable as we continue to seek opportunities to enhance the undergraduate experience for our students.”

Student Academic Services is an academic support office for College departments and for students pursuing baccalaureate degrees within the College. As director, Fillian will oversee a staff of 20 and monitor programs and projects that include assisting students in the development of educational plans, the clarification of career and life goals, and the appreciation of the values of a liberal arts education.

“I am honored to join the KU community. From the moment I arrived on campus, I was very impressed with the commitment to the undergraduate experience shared by the faculty and staff of the College,” Fillian said. “I look forward to working with key stakeholders both within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the larger university community to execute a shared vision of a first-class undergraduate liberal arts education.”

Fillian has held positions in higher education administration since 2000. Before serving as director of undergraduate advising and assessment at The George Washington University School of Business, he held positions in the registrar’s office at The George Washington University, Georgetown University and George Mason University. He also served as an assistant director in the admissions office at Trinity University in Washington, D.C.

Fillian earned a master’s degree of education in higher education administration from the University of Texas-Austin. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from University of Mary Washington.

The College enrolls about 60 percent of all undergraduates at KU. It is the largest and most diverse academic unit at KU, offering degrees in more than 50 departments, programs and centers in humanities, natural sciences and math, social and behavioral sciences, the arts, and international and interdisciplinary studies.

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for
KU's Lawrence campus.